'What Happened To Me Would Dent Anybody's Confidence – But I've Got My Bite Back'

Blood, sweat and tears. That is what it took Michael Halford to turn Copper Beech Stables from a green field site into one of the most renowned racing yards in Ireland. One from which Group 1 and Royal Ascot winners were sent out and where the trainer managed the careers of over 100 steeds in his pomp. 

Halford has trained more than 1,000 winners in his 41-year career, almost 500 of which were managed from Copper Beech during 16 full seasons there, but dwindling numbers during Covid and the separation from his second wife Louise meant that it was no longer viable to continue training from the purpose-built facility just 15 minutes off the Curragh. 

That is the sort of double-whammy that would leave most men on the canvas. But the 62-year-old, who has a history of bouncing back from the brink, went away and hatched a plan that proved pivotal to his survival within the training ranks.

Since approaching Conyngham Lodge-based trainer Tracey Collins about the prospects of holding a joint-licence together, the team have sent out 44 winners in less than two seasons operating as a partnership. That's what you call thriving, not surviving, and Halford is hoping to build on that momentum by sourcing some new talent to the team at Orby Part 1 and 2 at Goffs this week. 

“I'm slowly getting my confidence back,” the trainer said. “Feeling better recently and the horses have been running well as well which is a big help. What happened to me would have dented anybody's confidence. Between losing the business and the marriage, either one of those things would have to have an affect on you. For the two of them to happen at the same time was particularly hard.”

He added, “To be honest, the whole thing only really hit me back in January and February of this year. That's the part of the year when things slow down a little so I had time to reflect. That was tough enough going, just trying to get my head around things for what they were but, as I said, I had wonderful support and I was just happy to be able to continue training. I have a lot to be thankful for. It feels like we are back to square one. I started training 41 years ago about 200 yards down the road from Conyngham Lodge so it's gone full circle.”

Halford: has a good relationship with BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe | Goffs

In many ways, Halford and Collins were destined to do well together. Both practitioners are renowned for their patient approach with horses and, given Collins' numbers had dipped to an all-time low, the idea of joining forces became something of a win-win.

“I didn't just wake up one morning and think that joining forces with Tracey was a good idea,” Halford explained. “It was in my head for a long time. Covid put me on the back foot and it gave me a chance to see how bad things actually were because everything ground to a halt. There was no racing so it gave me time to pause and see things in the cold light of day. It was obvious that our numbers dipped below a certain level which meant it wasn't viable to continue in Copper Beech. So I knew that I was in trouble. 

“What really happened was, I was harvesting the PAYE and the PRSI, as I am sure half the country was at the time, just to keep people in a job. You were just hoping in the back of your mind that something or somebody would come along and get you out of trouble. But I soon realised that wasn't going to happen.”

He added, “After Covid, I was left with whatever I had and then a big tax bill at the end of it all. It was an impossible task and, the longer I buried my head in the sand, the worse the outcome was going to be for me. I faced up to it and managed to save the sport horse side of Copper Beech Stables, which is where Lousie and the kids are based, but the racing side of the yard had to go. What really kept me going was the support I was getting from owners.”

Not one owner turned their back on Halford. The 40-something horses who had been with him at Copper Beech Stables made their way to the other side of the Curragh where, along with Collins, he made the best of what he had. Approaching 60 years of age at the time, Halford had the unenviable task of reinventing himself as a trainer. But this is a man who has been at rock bottom before and he knows exactly what is required to get out from the depths of despair. 

“I was down to about seven horses 30 years ago and things were tough,” he revealed. “I gave up the drink. I needed to get some help with that. I've never said that in any interview or anywhere in the public domain before but that was another low point in my life. I was training in Pollardstown on the Curragh and the numbers had dropped. Things weren't great. But, as I said, I got off the drink, put my head down and did what I do best, which is work hard. 

“So I've been at rock bottom before. That was pretty much the lowest point of my life. My first marriage went at that point but, again, I just had to roll up my sleeves and work my way out of it. Things started to happen. Slowly. It was probably no coincidence that, when I gave up drinking, things started to go well. Now, it was slow. But we got to a point where I was asked to train for HH the Aga Khan and that was a huge boost. That gives you a bit of confidence that you're doing something right. I know that some people wouldn't think so, but I always suffered with a lack of confidence. Even though it mightn't come across that way, but I do.”

He added, “But getting back to that time of my life, we built up a string of horses over the course of about 10 years, and when the numbers started to get bigger, we were training out of two yards and it was clear we needed to expand. I bit the bullet and that's why I went and built Copper Beech Stables. It was a huge decision at the time. A huge undertaking. I was aware of the dangers but I was willing to do it and I did it. It worked and it was successful. I ended up training for some big owners including Godolphin–trained a Group 1 winner [Casamento], a Royal Ascot winner [Portage] and built up a string of over 100 horses with plenty of staff, a big number of jockeys and apprentices. It was a lot of hard work. Honesty and hard work.”

And then it was gone. As Halford points out, a lot of top-class trainers have exited the stage in recent years. Some on their own terms. Others weren't as fortunate. The training ranks would have been lesser for his untimely departure but he remains determined to keep that thought at bay. 

“Nobody is entitled to a living,” he says frankly. “Even looking at Ireland alone, John Oxx trained Sea The Stars and, within a few years, he retired with a small string of horses. It's a tough game. That's why you have to reinvent yourself every few years in order to survive. I've been very lucky to know Noel Meade for a long time and was actually assistant trainer to him for a short period when I was younger. Noel was once the dominant force over jumps but, when his numbers dwindled, he went back training horses on the Flat and is still very successful because of that. To be doing what he's doing, with the same enthusiasm, is great to see but that's what you need to be doing if you want to stay in this game.”

To that extent, the recruitment drive continues apace at Goffs this week. This has been a lucky place for Halford down through the years. Lord Church, who has won three times this season, was purchased at the Orby for €40,000 in 2022 while other bargain buys have been sniffed out here with the help of BBA Ireland agent Mick Donohoe. 

At the sales with sons Josh and Tommy | Goffs

“I'm 62 so I'd like to think that I could get back to where we once were but you need orders. If you would have asked if that was possible six months ago I'd have said no. Today, I have my bite back again. The love of training horses and being around horses has been a constant. I've always tried to do the best I can with what I have.”

Halford added, “It's been an honour to train for HH the Aga Khan and Godolphin but I often wondered whether some people thought that, when I was training for the bigger outfits, maybe they wouldn't be looked after or get the same attention in the yard. That used to get to me a little bit. I think I was more adamant to get the best out of every horse as a result of that because every horse is important irrespective of who owns it. I love training horses and I want to continue training horses. I still feel I have a lot to offer. In relative terms as a trainer, 62 is not old. If anything, you should be coming into your prime as you've seen it all before at this stage. 

“The biggest problem is sourcing them, though. Getting your hands on the raw material. Looking at the sales recently, we're probably back at a point where there's a certain level of overproduction so you could say that there is value to be had. There are opportunities at the sales. There is a huge emphasis on speed and two-year-old races, which is fine, but some of those slower-maturing horses that we have done so well with down through the years could come to the fore. 

“A very good example would be Lord Church. I bought him off Lady O'Reilly, God be good to her, for €40,000 at the Orby a couple of years ago. When I bought him, she congratulated me and just said that he needed plenty of time. We gave him the time and he paid us back in spades. He's the exact type of horse I'd like to buy this week.”

Halford speaks with a heavy helping of perspective. He may not have been able to save his business, nor his marriage, but the outcome could have been a lot worse. He could have lost himself. 

“I get great satisfaction out of seeing the kids riding. It was a great boost to see Josh ride a few winners of late while Tommy has ridden a few placed horses on the track as well. Holly was with us all summer and has done a bit of pony racing while Leah is teaching in Dubai and loves it out there as well.”

He added, “The simpler things mean a lot more to you when you've been through what I have. I'm stronger for it and I feel as though I'm training as well if not better than ever. The confidence is coming back and I'm hungry. Am I happy with my lot? I'd like to get back to where I was before. Is that possible? It is with support. I still think I have a lot to offer and I'm not going to lie down.”